Weighted basketballs improve the overall arm, wrist and finger strength for basketball players of all ages. Unlike weight training, weighted basketballs will increase ability as well as strength. Players can improve their shooting, passing, rebounding and dribbling skills with weighted basketball drills. Official weighted balls handle and bounce the same as regular basketballs but at three pounds, weighted balls weight twice as much.
Two-on-Two Hustle Drill
This is a great drill to use with a weighted ball because it will test all facets of a players game as well as his physical endurance and speed. To start the drill, the coach stands in the middle of the court with the weighted ball with two players in either corner of one side of the court. The coach then rolls the ball away from the players who sprint after the ball. The team that picks up the ball first is on offense and the other on defense. These two teams will play a full court game until one of the teams scores. This game will require the players to dribble, pass, shoot and rebound with a weighted ball which will improve all of those skills.
Weighted Ball Layups
This drill comes to us from Carrie Belt, the editor of Breakthroughbasketball.com. This drill will help improve layups on the offensive end as well as rebounding the basketball on both sides of the court. If you are a coach, start by drawing a line or placing a piece of tape on a wall where your players can jump up and touch. The player starts by holding a weighted ball over her head and jumping up to touch the line. The player will then repeat this 20 times, keeping the ball over her head through the duration of the drill. If your player is tall enough you can use the net, backboard or even rim, instead of a line on the wall. These rapid jumps simulate the act of rebounding and jumping again quickly to put the ball in the basket without bringing the ball below the shoulders. This motion is most important for your post players.
Mikan Drill
If you watch professional basketball you can see that the big men are usually slower than the guards especially when handling the ball. Big men, or anyone who plays in the low post can improve their game by practicing low post moves with a heavy ball. The Mikan drill is a simple layup drill from basketball great George Mikan. Start by holding the ball at your chest directly under the basket. Take one step to the right with your left foot and put in a baby hook layup. Get your own rebound and do the opposite on the left side. See how many you can make in a row. This drill will make your hands quicker and allow you to score faster against opponents in the low post.
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